Newsletters Archived

First Holy Communion Receptions - 8th May 2010
Parents, a letter from the Parent's Association was sent home with 1st and 3rd class children on Tuesday appealing for your help with the First Holy Communion Receptions on Saturday, 8th May, from 10.30am - 12.30pm and/or 12.30pm - 2.30pm. We still need help, so if you are available and would like to volunteer, please call/text Karen on 087 4187253 or Bridin on 086 3845931.

Dropping in lunches, schoolbags, homework etc.
Can you please ensure that, if you are dropping in any of your child's forgotten belongings e.g. lunches, bags, homework, etc., that they are clearly marked with your child's name and their class teacher.

Soccer Team
"Our school soccer team played against Scoil Aine Naofa, Lucan, in the school's first every league match on 24 March. We lost the game but we had great fun. It was a tough match and we had a great second half." Mohammed & Alex - 6th Class

Girls Football Team
"Yesterday, we played St Patrick's Corduff S.N.S. It was the final of the league and we won! We won 1st place and got to take home the trophy. It was a great end to all our matches this year. We have great fun and are very proud of ourselves. We are looking forward to next year's matches". Niamh (6th Class) Caitríona (5th Class) Molly (4th Class)

Fingal Cross Country League
The next meeting will be on Tuesday 20 April in Porterstown. Please note that all Photographic Consent Forms need to be completed and returned to the school before this date.
Also please note that on Tuesday 11 May, the Finals of the Dublin 15 Cross Country League will be held at Morton Stadium, Santry. Our school team will compete against schools from Swords, Blanchardstown and Portmarnock. More information will be available in the next few days.

"Sport for All" Days
The first of our "Sport for All" Days will be for children in 3rd - 6th class. This will be held on Wednesday 28 April (weather permitting).
Children should wear white T-Shirt and their school tracksuit (grey long pants or grey school shorts are permitted) and suitable footwear. More information will follow nearer the days.

Castleknock Community College Plant Sale
The annual Castleknock Community College Plant Sale takes place on Saturday 08 and Sunday 09 May. If any parent who has a communion child this year wishes to purchase plants, the organising committee is happy to arrange this on your behalf. Please collect a booking form at Reception here in St Patrick's. Plants will be available for collection on Friday evening 07 May in CCC.

Parents Directory
Are you looking for a Product or Service? Why not give a Parent from St Patrick's a chance to quote? The St Patrick's Parents Directory has a list of the many products & services provided by parents. Visit www.stpatricksns.ie for more information.

Internet Safety Talk
A very informative talk will be given by Pierre Brinkschulte (a parent), on Tuesday, 27th May at 7pm in the school. Parents often admire how easily their children can use the Internet - but aren't quite sure of what they are doing or seeing. This talk aims to take the mystery out of the Internet for parents and to give them the skills to engage with their children's online lives. The talk will give a practical demonstration of the technologies and the websites young people are using. Parents will be introduced to strategies to help their children be responsible, effective and safer Internet users. Places are limited to 20 - if you are interested in attending, please text Marie on 0879935551.

Transition from Primary to Secondary School
There was a great turnout for our recent talk and we hope all who attended found it to be very informative. A handout was given at the end of the evening, which gave very helpful feedback/tips from some of our ex-pupils (and their parents), who started Secondary School last September. This handout can now be viewed on the school's website under the Parent's Association's heading. In the feedback, a parent mentioned that 'Initial expense of books and uniform was more than I expected. You may need to budget for these as early as possible'. The Parent's Association has checked this out and would suggest that parents should expect to spend approx €900 to €1000 (books, copies, uniform, shoes, etc.) for CCC or LCC, this year. When in touch with Grant's, Manor Street, who provide the uniform for both schools, they advised they operate a 'Uniform Club', which parents may wish to avail of - please contact them directly.

PA Sponsored Walk
This year, the Parents Association have moved the Sponsored walk to Spring with a hope of getting some better weather. This year we are returning to the Phoenix Park on the 25th April. Further details and sponsorship cards have been distributed to all children.

PA Golf Classic
The Bi-annual Parents Association Golf Classic, in aid of the school, will take place in Castleknock Golf Club on the 02 June and not 12 May as previously advised. This is a great opportunity to support the school and get a great day out on the golf course. There are a number of options to support the school either to submit a 4-ball Team (€95 a person) or to sponsor a hole (€100).

Extra Curricular Activities
Spanish for Children (3 - 12 year olds)
Spanish Classes at St Patrick's NS. Qualified, experienced & fluent language teacher, fun classes and excellent materials & methodology (la Jolie Ronde) including own Book & CD so language learning can continue at home. Spring Term starting week beginning 19th April, try a class for free. Please phone 822 7629 / 087 267 4809 or email marygalvin@upcmail.ie for enrolment pack and/or further details/info on other venues & times. Muchas gracias, Mary

French for Children 3-12 years ****SPECIAL OFFER****
Exclusively to pupils of St. Patrick's National School, the following special offer is in place until Friday 30th April 2010.

To celebrate spring's arrival, I am offering one TRIAL CLASS per child without any obligation for the first three weeks of next term starting Monday 12th April 2010. Come and test my fun French classes and see what you think! After this trial lesson, if you do not stay, you do not pay! I have classes on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays in Diswellstown Community Centre here in St. Patrick's National School. If your children are in Tigers after-school care, Tigers staff kindly brings down and collects current pupils.

Please contact me to book your trial class for the right day/time ASAP.
My classes offer the following:

• French NATIVE teacher Small numbers (up to 12 children max) per age group

• Fun learning through various activities: songs, rhymes, games, great activity books/CDs

• The proven La Jolie Ronde Methodology

If you are planning a trip to France this summer, this would be an excellent preparation for your children. Contact me Sabine (English & French spoken!) on 087 227 9027 or 01 442 8237. Merci!

Swimming
New term starts this Saturday 17 April in the National Aquatic Centre. All fees must be paid in full on this day. All enquiries to Lucy at 086 4029792.

Touch-type, Read and Spell
Touch-type, Read and Spell is a computer based literacy course for children with Dyslexia and other learning difficulties. It is being run locally in Castleknock Community College on Wednesday afternoons for 1 hour during school term time , 2 classes, 3-4 p.m. and 4.30-5.30 p.m. To reserve a place, please contact Carol on 087 2868910 for further details. Why not check out the website www.ttrs.co.uk for further information on how the course might benefit your child.

Maths Corner
Move 4 matches to make 3 squares.

Enable Ireland Action on Disability

Dear Parent / Guardian,

You and your family can help take Action on Disability and make a real difference in the lives of many children and adults with physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities in Ireland by participating in the Bring Back Day Collection on behalf of Enable Ireland.

ABOUT ENABLE IRELAND
Founded in 1948, Enable Ireland now work in communities throughout Ireland, supporting over 3,500 children, adults and their families from a network of 15 regional centres. For children we provide physiotherapy, occupational therapy, hydrotherapy, speech and language therapy and social support. For adults we provide services covering personal development, independent living, employment and social and leisure activities. Enable Ireland help to give the children and adults who use our services the best possible chance to play their part at home, at school, at work and in the community.

Proceeds from the sale of donated merchandise through the Enable Ireland chain of 21 charity shops contribute directly to the enhancement of our disability services and the development of new facilities. The recently opened Children's Services centres in Kerry, Kildare and Mayo as well as our latest building project in Cavan are just some of the projects around the country made possible with public support.

In these difficult times, collecting good quality merchandise is a constant daily challenge for us, as we depend more than most on the funds raised through our shops to maintain our services.

THE DIFFERENCE WE MAKE.

"As a parent of a child with a disability, everyday life can seem daunting. With support from Enable Ireland, you can see past the disability and realise the abilities and potential that each child has. "
Quote from the Mother of a 6 year old boy using Enable Ireland services.

Every donation makes a real and meaningful difference in the lives of people with disabilities.

PLEASE SUPPORT ST. PATRICKS BRING BACK DAY FOR ENABLE IRELAND ON MAY 4TH 2010.